Novelty Lighters Could Pose Threat To Children

Russellville, AR- Novelty lighters are now banned in North Little Rock and any businesses caught with them on store shelves will have to pay up.

The ban comes after the death of two Russelville children, who were playing with lighters when their house caught on fire.

Lieutenant Mark Shoemaker, who serves as North Little Rock's deputy fire marshal, pushed for the ban on novelty lighters.

In September, investigators attributed the deaths of 15-month-old Peyton Edwards and 2-year-old Breydon Edwards of Russelville to the boys playing with the lighter.

Shoemaker hopes other cities in Pulaski County and around the state will ban the lighters as well.

Currently, novelty lighters can be found at some convenience stores and tobacco shops around Region 8.

Rachel Able has a background in marketing and works at the Jordan's Kwik Mart in Jonesboro.

She says many times the bottom line for companies is selling before safety.

"I understand the advertising aspect. I also think that the children should not have been able to have had access to the lighters," said Able. "I can see where the potential for a disaster would happen."

K-8 checked out some local convenience stores, none of which carried the lighters.

At this point, there haven't been any county-wide bans of the lighters in Region 8.

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41-year-old William Wineke of the 600 block of Kinzer Street has a warrant for his arrest for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. (Source: Poplar Bluff Police Department)

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A Poplar Bluff man is wanted for being a non-compliant sex offender. 41-year-old William Wineke of the 600 block of Kinzer Street has a warrant for his arrest for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.

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